One of the best ways to know and learn about a city is by physically being there. One gets to feel people, the lifestyle, and the place through the ability to connect with what happens in the surroundings. The process is not rushed as compared to other sources of acquiring information regarding a specific city. The familiarization that comes with walking through every block enables a permanent imprint on the mind.
Another advantage is that one gets to the finer details, unlike the general overviews given in books and other secondary sources. Helmreich got to understand New York City, its culture, and the people by walking through the city’s blocks one at a time (Helmreich 17). Walking allows one to love and connect with the city’s culture. The connection to the city’s culture is made possible by the interaction with different people in the city and understanding the different perspectives of the city people. Through such an experience, an explorer can develop a deeper understanding of its culture.
However, Helmreich might have missed capturing the broader view of New York City’s ways and culture. This is because he focused on one block at a time. The general perspective is arrived at by studying the city as a whole. Also, he might have interacted with people who do not really understand the city and therefore ended up getting a biased perspective. The process is also time-consuming and takes long before one can achieve the aim and purpose of the adventure.
Google street view can be used as an alternative to understanding the city within a shorter period. It also acts as a tool for cutting the cost of going through all the streets and blocks. Furthermore, the information provided on the Google Street view application is not limited to any bias. However, the application is not detailed to a level comparable to walking on the actual streets. The connection with the people and culture is also not promised on the virtual tour. In conclusion, a virtual tour through Google Street view is an important way to adventure different cities. However, virtual tours cannot replace actual visits to the streets. Instead, they can complement actual street walking adventures during a visit to a new city.
Work Cited
Helmreich, William B. The Queens Nobody Knows: An Urban Walking Guide. Princeton University Press, 2020.